Apple begins testing over-the-air updates with iOS 5.0 beta 4

Apple on Friday afternoon released iOS 5.0 beta 4 to developers via the software's new over-the-air (OTA) Software Updater, marking the first time it's tested the functionality externally.

Previously, developers and users would first have to download iOS updates via iTunes or Apple's web-based developer portal, then tether their iOS device to a computer running iTunes in order to apply the update.

Although developers are able to begin downloading the update over a WiFi or 3G connection with low battery life, installation of OTA updates are prohibited unless an iOS device is plugged into a power source or has at least 50% of its battery life remaining -- the installation button is simply grayed out (as can be seen below).

Friday's OTA beta is a delta update weighing just 133MB, which saves users from having to download an additional 730.8MB of redundant data that was distributed as part of the previous iPhone 4 GSM release, which weighed in at 863.8MB.

In a set of release notes reportedly accompanying the latest beta, Apple noted that developers using the OTA software update from beta 3 to beta 4 will need to re-sync their photos with iTunes.

The Cupertino-based company also noted that with iOS 5.0 beta 4, wireless syncing is now available on Windows as well as the Mac and file names in iCloud are case sensitive.

For those developers testing their applications with AirPlay and Apple TV, Apple also reportedly noted that there is no new build for AppleTV for beta 4 of iOS 5 and recommended that developers continue using beta 3 of the Apple TV update.

People familiar with the beta have also noted that some portions of iCloud data syncing are now active. Documents from recent Mac versions of iWork, for example, can now reportedly be synced through the service.

Additional discoveries in the new beta will be reported when and if they become available.

Downloading as we speak. Seems to be stuck towards the end here but anxiosely awaiting iwork sharing capabilities and unlikely but still gesture support for the ipad 1. The icon with gears is crazy realistic. Its like retina on steroids realistic.

I just installed iOS 5 beta 4 "over the air" and it went very smoothly on both my iPad 1 and iPhone 3GS. So easy, my mom could have done it. The last "minute" or so took about 10+ minutes. But when it was done everything looked perfect - so much so that I had verify the version to be sure the new version was really installed. Simply put, it worked beautifully!!

Yea that last minute was like 15 minutes for me. But I am used to that now cause that seems to be true of any install since I had a 486.

I got a question. Before Ota did the Mac do the installation and just send the processed data onto the phone, did the phone do processing. This Ota seemed a bit longer than tethered install

That's a good question. I don't know for sure, but the iOS 5 beta 4 OTA download is much smaller (133 MB for iPad 1) compared to the full image download (745.5 MB for iPad 1) that is installed via a Mac and hard wire connection. I'm guessing the OTA install has to replace bits on a file-by-file basis which could, in some cases, be slower than writing a single complete new image - which would be the case for any computer, iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC.

For me, the OTA download was the slowest part of the whole install process, yet the total download and install time was probably not more than 30 or 40 minutes at most; very reasonable in my opinion. This was the case for both my iPhone 3GS and iPad 1. What I like most is how simple it was to install, and I did not have to go through any restore or sync afterward, which must be done when doing a full install.

That's a good question. I don't know for sure, but the iOS 5 beta 4 OTA download is much smaller (133 MB for iPad 1) compared to the full image download (745.5 MB for iPad 1) that is installed via a Mac and hard wire connection. I'm guessing the OTA install has to replace bits on a file-by-file basis which could, in some cases, be slower than writing a single complete new image - which would be the case for any computer, iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC.

For me, the OTA download was the slowest part of the whole install process, yet the total download and install time was probably not more than 30 or 40 minutes at most; very reasonable in my opinion. This was the case for both my iPhone 3GS and iPad 1. What I like most is how simple it was to install.

OTA download was the slowest for me as well with both my iPad 2 and iPhone 4 easily taking 45 minutes or more on each device. I'm definitely looking forward to using beta 4 as 3 was VERY unstable for me on both with frequent browser crashes on the iPad and constant "resets" on the iPhone (not quite a reboot but a black screen pause that would interrupt whatever I was doing--stopping apps and "pausing" but not disconnecting phone calls).